It is remembered for the unexplained death of one of its keepers, and for being "attacked" by United States Navy pilots during a training exercise.

In 1905 the Lighthouse Board considered turning the station into one of a pair of range lights, but this plan eventually fell through.

The lighthouse stood near the hulk of an old ship, the Hannibal, which was frequently used for target practice by Navy fighters.

On February 19, 1957, three ADSN Skyraiders from the Naval Air Station at Atlantic City, New Jersey bombed the light; their pilots had mistaken the structure for the hulk of the Hannibal.

Although they carried no explosives, they still managed to tear holes in the roof and walls, and damaged several of the iron pilings as well.